Project Overview

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) conducted an environmental study for the project, which would extend the 495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange to the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge.

Virginia's 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension, also referred to as 495 NEXT, is being developed as an independent, stand-alone project that will be closely coordinated and compatible with plans for I-495 (Capital Beltway) in Maryland. 

The environmental study, which was completed according to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and 23 CFR Part 771, evaluated site-specific conditions and potential effects the proposed improvements may have on air quality, noise, neighborhoods, parks, recreation areas, historic properties, wetlands and streams, and other resources. The study began in April 2018.

Project Goals and Objectives

VDOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), developed the project’s goals and objectives through a comprehensive process that included a review of previous studies and recent or planned projects; an analysis of traffic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions in the region; and feedback from the public and federal, regional, state, and local agencies through a scoping process.

The project will address the following needs:

• Reduce congestion and improve roadway safety: As population and employment within the Washington, D.C. region continue to grow, the increase in traffic volumes and travel demand along the I-495 corridor will result in increased congestion, delays, and safety concerns. There is a need to address existing and future travel demand and relieve pressure on the general purpose lanes and the surrounding roadway network.
• Provide additional travel choices: The existing 495 Express Lanes end at Old Dominion Drive, limiting travel choices for HOV and single-occupant vehicles within the study area, with no good options to bypass congestion or bottlenecks. As such, an additional option is needed to allow users to bypass congestion in the general purpose lanes and to choose a mode that best suits their individual needs.
• Improve travel reliability: Congestion along the I-495 corridor results in highly variable travel speeds and travel times, which are expected to worsen as the population, employment, and traffic volumes in the region increase. Consistent, reliable, predictable travel times are needed for commuters and freight movement.

Project Review and Approvals

The 495 NEXT Project’s Environmental Assessment has received “Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI)” from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Park Service (NPS). These findings enable the project to advance into the design and construction phase. Additionally, FHWA approved the project’s interchange justification report, a traffic study that includes analysis of traffic impacts and benefits associated with the 495 NEXT project. To learn more and view the documents, click here.

Documents and Studies

The environmental assessment, interchange justification report, and numerous other documents associated with the 495 NEXT project can be found through the project’s public information meetings and public hearings web page. Many reports and other documents will also be found on the Documents and Studies web page as the project progresses.

Previous Studies on I-495

VDOT has conducted multiple traffic and environmental studies along the I-495 corridor prior to 495 NEXT. Find links to previous reports here.

Visualizations

The 495 NEXT project team has produced visualizations of what the proposed design might look like from viewpoints near the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Dulles Toll Road interchanges. To view, click here.